KING EDWARD THE EIGHTH

singing a tune, giving it all they knew, King Edward
rose and walked down the gangway and stood in the
midst of the men. The band stopped playing and the
sailors stood. The King asked the leader to play Tip-
perary. The men were delighted, and as they sang to
the accompaniment of mouth-organs, concertinas and
banjos, the King sang with them.

"Very good indeed," he said, when they had finished
the last chorus.

Then one of the men shouted, "Three cheers for
His Majesty the King," and while King Edward was
walking back to his arm-chair, they were all singing
"For he's a jolly good fellow." He had been greeted
with that chorus on many occasions in his life, but
never, we may venture to think, had it touched him
more deeply than at that moment; for he already knew
that the greatest crisis in his life must soon be brought
to a head. It was a good concert, and King Edward,
smoking a cigar, enjoyed it all the more for being one
of an audience of petty officers, signalmen, marines,
stokers and seamen. There were ballads, shanties,
"comics," conjuring tricks and sketches with daring
female impersonations. The "Tiger Ragamuffins" who
played jazz were eight stokers and two seamen of the
Courageous. The veteran of the show was Stoker Aldridge,
aged 53, who had danced a hornpipe some years ago
for King George the Fifth, and now was delighted to
dance it again for King Edward.

At the end of the programme, the King went on to
the stage and spoke to performers and audience. "I
want to give my congratulations," he said, "to all who
have taken part in the very enjoyable entertainment we
have had to-night. It is a great pleasure to me to have
this opportunity of visiting the Home Fleet before you
disperse to your home ports for leave and refitment. As
a matter of fact, I have a great feeling for Portland,
because I left the Navy here as a midshipman. I won't
say how many years ago. I have not actually been

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